Swing attachment

ABSTRACT

A swing attachment comprising a right suspension line and a left suspension line. A right swing seat connector and a left swing seat connector. The right swing seat connector is connected to the right suspension line, and the left swing seat connector is connected to the left suspension line. The right swing seat connector is connected to the swing seat. The left swing seat connector is connected to the swing seat. The right suspension line and the left suspension line suspend the swing seat. A left sleeve is mounted to the left suspension line, and the right sleeve is mounted to the right suspension line. The left sleeve is mounted above the left swing seat connector. The right sleeve is mounted above the right swing seat connector.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of swing accessories, particularlyswing attachments.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of different swing apparatus devices have been described inthe prior art. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,568 by inventor DaleGlaze, entitled Title of Design: Method And Apparatus For Supporting AChild In A Swing, registered Nov. 23, 2010, the abstract describes, “Aback support device utilizes a removable fabric support strap attachedto chain attachment assemblies for connection to the support chains of aswing, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Thechain attachment assemblies are attached to chain elements of thesupport chains so that the support strap of the device is positioned inthe underarm area of an adult. The support strap has a width sufficientfor supporting the back and underarms of an adult comfortably. Aremovable sleeve, slidable over the chain attachment assemblies andsupport strap of the device provides a means to quickly and easily cleanand restore the device.”

In U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,357 to inventor Robert Aarmodt, entitled BeltseatSwing Safety Attachment Device And Method For Using Same, issued Sep.15, 2015, the abstract describes a belt seat Swing attachment device andmethods for using the device to enable young children to safely utilizea belt seat swing, such as those commonly found at public playgrounds orparks, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Thedevice includes a seating portion and an attachment portion. The seatingportion includes a torso band that is configured to surround a belt seatand a cradle band that hangs freely from the torso band in a U-shapedconfiguration. The attachment portion includes attachment strapscomprising hook and loop fasteners that are configured to removablyattach to a belt seat swing so that the device can be secured to theswing.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,578,746 entitled Swing Covering Accessory, byinventor Felicia D. Johnson registered Aug. 25, 2009, the abstractbriefly explains a swing covering accessory, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. The accessory is used to cover anoutdoor infant/toddler swing and is designed to be placed into the swingand around the outside of it, providing both entertainment and sanitarypurposes for infants and toddlers using the swing. The accessory issized and shaped to wrap completely around a swing seat and also hasseparate pieces that are designed to cover the rods at the top of theswing seat and the pair of handles that are within reach of an infant ortoddler using the swing seat. The swing covering accessory also has atleast one external pocket for holding infant/toddler toys such as arattler, a teether, squeak toy, or similar items.

In U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,201, inventor Ginelle Mills provides theMulti-use Protective Cover registered on Feb. 26, 2013, of which theabstract briefly explains a safety device for children, specifically acover for use with a variety of surfaces that provides a barrier toprotect a child from the heat and/or contamination of a surface, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In someembodiments, the device can prevent a child from being burned oruncomfortable by the heat of a swing seat or car seat by minimizingthermal transfer between a child's skin and the swing seat for anadequate amount of time. In some embodiments, the cover can be used in aplanar configuration as a changing pad or play mat.

In U.S. Pat. No. 9,682,325, inventor Stephanie Ann Dufault Rindfleischinvented the Clip-on Attachment That Provides Back Support for ChildrenWhen on a Swing That Does Not Have Back Support that was registered onJun. 20, 2017. The abstract briefly provides an attachment that providesback support for a child on a swing, where the swing does not alreadyhave a back support, is disclosed, as well as a method of using thesame.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,535, inventor Peter A. Marmentini invented thePortable Playground Swing Seat that was registered on Feb. 13, 2007. Theabstract briefly explains A portable playground swing seat is configuredto interface with a playground swing and that includes an open-topped,rigid, cup shaped bucket having a width compatible to a playground swingseat. The bucket is substantially oval in shape, having a raised backwith a hand hole therethrough for manual portability. A removable softfabric liner interfaces the inner surface of the bucket to provide asupple and comfortable environment for a toddler when sitting within theportable swing seat. A five-point harness, which is adjustably affixedonto the bucket, is sized in length and contour to fit over thetoddler's shoulders, chest and legs. Two rigid foldable attachment armsare rotatably affixed onto the bucket for attachment to each playgroundswing chain. A swing seat strap is firmly affixed onto the bottom of thebucket, and is sized in length to circumvent the lower portion of aplayground swing seat for securing the swing seat to the swing alongwith the swing chain attachment arms.

In patent publication number US 2003/0040372 A1, inventor Eddie McNuttinvented the Child Safety Restraint System for Swing Sets that wasregistered on Feb. 27, 2003. The abstract briefly explains a SafetySystem for restraining a child in a conventional swing Set comprising abelt for Secure placement around the upper torso of a child, with SafetySnap hooks attached to the belt for Securely engaging the verticalSupport elements of the Swing Set. The Safety Snap hooks are attached tothe belt by means of D-rings through which the belt passes. The D-ringsare fixed at Such a location as to position the Safety Snap hooksadjacent to the vertical Support members of the Swing Set. Further, SuchD-rings are fixed at Such a spacing as to prevent fastening the belt ata diameter Smaller than a child's head to prevent entrapment about theneck or head. The Safety Snap hooks are connected to the D-rings by oneor more chain or S-links, or short flexible elements. The Safety Snaphooks are of the type that have a Self-positioning member at the hookopening that will not allow the hook to become disengaged from thevertical Support elements of the Swing Set unless intentionallyactivated manually. The Safety Snap hooks are constructed in Shape andSize So they can be hooked into chain links of the Vertical Supportelements of the Swing Set or fastened over the outside of chain link soas not to be movable to an adjacent chain link unless intentionallymanually disengaged. The ability to be fastened over the outside of achain link allows the Safety Snap hook to accommodate chain with plasticsheathing or other coverings. The Safety hooks will also work on SwingSets with vertical Support members of rope or other flexible material bytying a knot at the appropriate location and attaching the Safety hookjust above the knot.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,934, inventor Rene M. Miller invented the ChildSafety Swing for Playground Swing that was registered on Jul. 9, 1996.The abstract briefly explains a child safety device is shown anddescribed for converting a belt seat playground swing into a child seatsafety swing. The device includes an attachment mechanism for securingthe device to the chains of a belt seat playground swing and includes awaist strap for encircling the child's body to prevent the small childfrom tipping forward or backward from the belt seat swing. Additionalstructures include under straps and crotch straps and mesh netting allsecurely stitched together to complete a child receiving cavity. Thechild's weight bears upon the belt seat of the swing, and the safetydevice secures the child in such position upon the belt seat swing. Thedevice is compact and portable and may be carried along with other childrelated paraphernalia.

In United States patent publication number US2017/0225085A1, inventorSarah Elizabeth Najar invented the Swing Attachment Apparatus that wasregistered on Aug. 10, 2017. The abstract briefly explains a swingattachment apparatus for holding a child's toy on a swing includes aseat base that has a lower portion configured to rest on a swing seatand an upper portion configured to support a child's toy. A seat backmay be provided that adjustably engages with the seat base to support arear portion of the child's toy. A first strap is attached to the seatbase and is configured to wrap around the swing seat to secure the seatbase to the swing. A second strap is attached to the seat base and isconfigured to extend over the child's toy to secure the child's toybetween the second strap and the seat base.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,613, inventor Christine Marie Ostrander inventedthe Multi-Purpose Child Safety Harness that was registered on Aug. 1,2000. The abstract briefly explains that this multi-purpose child safetyharness is wearable and is used to Support, hold, restrain, and protecta child during a variety of the child's activities. In FIGS. 1-4, theharness includes a torso band, a pair of shoulder Straps, an innercrotch Strap, an outer crotch Strap, and underarm Securing straps. Theouter crotch Strap is attached at the rear of the torso band and is usedto secure the child to a seat by looping the free end underneath theSeat So as to attach it to the chest portion of the torso band therebysecuring the child to the seat. The shoulder Straps provide ejectionprotection of the child during Swinging and other active pursuits. TheSecuring Straps are attached to the harness underneath each arm of thechild and are terminated in means for Securing the child to Swing chainsor ropes, and to various types of chairs, Shopping carts, Strollers, orother fixtures desired to Safely retain the child. A stow ring isattached to the rear of the torso band for Stowage of ends of theSecuring Straps and or for the attachment of a proximity tether line. Anadjustable waist belt at the middle of the band allows for body sizeadjustments. At the center of the chest portion of the band is a storagepocket.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,802, inventor Dennis Eugene Shives invented theWing Swing Seat and Swing Device that was registered on Apr. 28, 1998.The abstract briefly explains A winged swing seat and swing combinationdevice for any playground or yard swing. The swing seat device has twosimulated wings extending from opposite sides of the seat. Each wing isequipped with attachment device for attaching a rope or chain forsuspending the winged swing seat device. The swing seat device can besuspended from a horizontal tree limb or a beam. The swing seat devicecan be operated as a traditional swing with the operator sitting in theseat or as a belly swing with the operator placing one's abdomen on theseat of the swing.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,965, inventor Lora Mullins invented the ChildSwing Harness that was registered on Nov. 24, 1998. The abstract brieflyexplains the present invention is an apparatus for converting aconventional swing into a toddler swing by providing a child swingharness that can be quickly and easily placed around a child andattached to a conventional swing. The child swing harness of the presentinvention comprises a waist strap, two shoulder straps, an optionalswing stabilizer, two top stabilizers, and two optional waiststabilizers. The waist strap and two shoulder straps provide a harnessfor a small child. The swing stabilizer runs under the swing seat fromthe front of the waist strap to the back of the waist strap, therebyholding the child on a swing seat. The waist stabilizers and topstabilizers connect the child swing harness of the present invention tothe lines of the swing. These stabilizers prevent the child from fallingforward or backward off of the swing seat.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,910, inventor Georgina Alexakis invented theAttachable Swing Shade that was registered on Jul. 28, 2009. Theabstract briefly explains a readily assembled and removable shade foruse with swings in which the user of the swing is afforded substantialprotection from the sun, UV radiation, wind and rain is provided. Theshade is configured to be used with many different types of swings.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,595, inventor Barbara D. Tolar invented the SwingSeat Adapter that was registered on May 10, 1983. The abstract brieflyexplains a child receiving structure including a pair of laterallyspaced upstanding sides is provided. The sides include upstanding frontand rear marginal portions and are interconnected by an upstandingtransverse rear wall extending and connected there between. The childreceiving structure is positionable on the elongated horizontaltransverse seat of a swing suspended at its opposite ends from the lowerends of dependingly supported suspension members and coupling structureis removably operatively connected between the upper portion of thesides and adjacent portions of the suspension members spaced above theseat for preventing the seat from excessive forward or rearward tilting.Further, an occupant restraining harness is provided in the childreceiving structure for releasably securing a child therein.

In French patent number FR2887845A1, inventor Oliver Gnofam describesthe Child-Carrying Seat for Bicycle With Inflatable Cage andAnti-Ejection Belt with Inflated Central Portion to Protect Occupantregistered on Jun. 30, 2005. The abstract briefly explains the seat,consisting of a shell, has a protective cover in the form of an inflatedcage that goes over the seat occupant, with an anti-ejection belt acrossthe front that has an inflatable portion in the middle to prevent itpressing into the child's body. The cage also includes inflatable legprotector with straps. Thus, as can be seen from the prior artreferences, a wide variety of different swing seat modifications havebeen made for improving swing seats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A swing attachment comprising a right suspension line and a leftsuspension line. A right swing seat connector and a left swing seatconnector. The right swing seat connector is connected to the rightsuspension line, and the left swing seat connector is connected to theleft suspension line. The right swing seat connector is connected to theswing seat. The left swing seat connector is connected to the swingseat. The right suspension line and the left suspension line suspend theswing seat. A left sleeve is mounted to the left suspension line, andthe right sleeve is mounted to the right suspension line. The leftsleeve is mounted above the left swing seat connector. The right sleeveis mounted above the right swing seat connector.

A middle extension is inflatable and is connected to the rightsuspension line at the right sleeve and connected to the left suspensionline at the left sleeve. The middle extension is connected to the rightsleeve and a left sleeve, and further includes a valve for inflating themiddle extension.

A swing seat extension extends rearwardly from the swing seat. The rearextension extends rearwardly from the middle extension, and the rearextension is inflatable. The right extension is formed with a right wingtip and the left extension is formed with a left wing tip. The middleextension includes a torso, a neck extending from the torso, and a headextending from the neck. A snout extends from the head. The torso, neck,head and snout are inflatable. The middle extension includes a left earand a right ear extending from the middle extension. The left ear isinflatable, and the right ear is inflatable. The right extension extendsright from the middle extension, and the left extension extends leftfrom the middle extension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a swing shade with inflatable swing attachment in the shapeof a Pegasus.

FIG. 2 shows an inflatable swing attachment in the shape of a cartoonelephant.

FIG. 3 shows an inflatable swing attachment in the shape of a Pegasus.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide inreferencing the element numbers of the drawings.

-   10 Swing Attachment-   11 Right Sleeve-   12 Left Sleeve-   13 Right Extension-   14 Left Extension-   15 Middle Extension-   16 Rear Extension-   17 Depression-   18 Concave Periphery-   21 Left Wing Tip-   22 Torso-   23 Neck-   24 Head-   25 Right Ear-   26 Left Ear-   27 Snout-   28 Valve-   29 Right Wing Tip-   31 Right Suspension Line-   32 Left Suspension Line-   33 Swing Seat-   34 Right Swing Seat Connector-   35 Left Swing Seat Connector-   36 Swing Seat Extension

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention is an inflatable attachment toa swing seat. The swing attachment 10 has a right sleeve 11 connectingto a right suspension line 31, and a left sleeve 12 connecting to a leftsuspension line 32. The right sleeve 11 and the left sleeve 12 can behook and loop tape connections, plastic snaps, a zipper connection orthe like. A right extension 13 extends to the right of the right sleeve11. The right extension can include a right wing tip 29, and a leftextension 14 extends to the left of the left sleeve 12. The leftextension can include a left wing tip 21. The wingtips can have stylizedfeathers such as those for a Pegasus. Alternatively, the wingtips canhave an elephant skin texture for a stylized elephant ear. Artisticstylization can be screenprinted to the inflatable portion.

The middle extension 15 can include a neck 23 and a torso 22. The middleextension extends between the left sleeve 12 and the right sleeve 11.The middle extension preferably includes a head 24 with a snout 27 and apair of ears, namely a right ear 25 and a left ear 26. The middleextension also preferably has a neck 23 extending forwardly from theleft sleeve 12 and the right sleeve 11. The head 24 is mounted to theneck 23 and the middle extension 15 is inflatable. Similarly, the rightextension 13 and the left extension 14 are also inflatable. Theinflatable swing attachment 10 may have a plurality of inflatablechambers that are interconnected to each other for a single inflation.Alternatively, the middle extension 15 and the side extensions, namelythe left extension and the right extension can be separate inflatablechambers.

The swing seat 33 can have a swing seat extension 36 extendingrearwardly from the swing seat 33. The left suspension line 32 connectsto the left swing seat connector 35, and the right suspension line 31connects to the right swing seat connector 34. The inflatable swingattachment 10 has a valve 28 which is an air valve for receivingpressurizing air. The valve 28 can extend from an underside of theinflatable swing attachment 10. The right sleeve 11 and the left sleeve12 can have an external grip surface to allow a swing user to grasp theright sleeve 11 and the left sleeve 12. The left sleeve and the rightsleeve can be formed as loops and need not be continuous. The sleevescan be made of a plastic sheet, or fabric.

As seen in FIG. 2, the inflatable swing attachment 10 can be formed asan elephant. As seen in FIG. 3, the inflatable swing attachment 10 canalso have a swing seat that has a depression 17 such that the rearextension 16 extends rearwardly from the swing seat 33. The inflatablerear extension 16 and the non-inflatable swing seat extension 36 canboth provide additional stability for the user. The noninflatable swingseat extension 36 can support the inflatable rear extension 16. Thedepression 17 preferably has a concave periphery 18 to allow a user toset in the depression 17. The user's legs can pass around the middleextension 15. The inflatable swing attachment 10, can thus optionallyalso fit over the swing seat 33 when the inflatable rear extension 16fits over the swing seat 33. The concave periphery 18 can be circular toreceive a user.

Instead of filling up with air, the inflatable valve can receiveexpanding foam so that the inflatable swing attachment 10 is acombination of foam and air filled. Inflating with expanding ornon-expanding foam may provide a more durable construction. End userscan be provided with expanding foam injection canisters, or the foaminjection can be done at the factory before shipping. Air inflation ispreferred over foam inflation due to the reversible nature of airinflation. The air can be released from the valve 28 for storage of theinflatable swing attachment 10 for example.

1. A swing attachment comprising: a. a right suspension line and a leftsuspension line; b. a right swing seat connector and a left swing seatconnector, wherein the right swing seat connector is connected to theright suspension line, and wherein the left swing seat connector isconnected to the left suspension line; c. a swing seat, wherein theright swing seat connector is connected to the swing seat, wherein theleft swing seat connector is connected to the swing seat, wherein theright suspension line and the left suspension line suspend the swingseat; d. a left sleeve and a right sleeve, wherein the left sleeve ismounted to the left suspension line, wherein the right sleeve is mountedto the right suspension line, wherein the left sleeve is mounted abovethe left swing seat connector, wherein the right sleeve is mounted abovethe right swing seat connector; and e. a middle extension, wherein themiddle extension is inflatable and is connected to the right suspensionline at the right sleeve and connected to the left suspension line atthe left sleeve, wherein the middle extension is connected to the rightsleeve and a left sleeve, and further including a valve for inflatingthe middle extension.
 2. The swing seat attachment of claim 1, furthercomprising a swing seat extension extending rearwardly from the swingseat.
 3. The swing seat attachment of claim 1, further comprising a rearextension, wherein the rear extension extends rearwardly from the middleextension, wherein the rear extension is inflatable.
 4. The swing seatattachment of claim 1, wherein a right extension is formed with a rightwing tip and wherein a left extension is formed with a left wing tip. 5.The swing seat attachment of claim 1, wherein the middle extensionincludes a torso, a neck extending from the torso forming a middleextension handle, and a head extending from the neck forming a middleextension handle protrusion that has a larger diameter than the neck,wherein the torso, neck, head and snout are inflatable.
 6. The swingseat attachment of claim 1, wherein the middle extension includes a leftear and a right ear extending from the middle extension, wherein theleft ear is inflatable and is a left extension, and wherein the rightear is inflatable and is a right extension.
 7. The swing seat attachmentof claim 1, further comprising a right extension, wherein the rightextension extends right from the middle extension, and wherein a leftextension extends left from the middle extension.
 8. The swing seatattachment of claim 7, further comprising a swing seat extensionextending rearwardly from the swing seat.
 9. The swing seat attachmentof claim 7, further comprising a rear extension, wherein the rearextension extends rearwardly from the middle extension, wherein the rearextension is inflatable.
 10. The swing seat attachment of claim 7,wherein the right extension is formed with a right wing tip and whereinthe left extension is formed with a left wing tip.
 11. The swing seatattachment of claim 7, wherein the middle extension includes a torso, aneck extending from the torso forming a middle extension handle, and ahead extending from the neck forming a middle extension handleprotrusion that has a larger diameter than the neck, wherein the torso,neck, head and snout are inflatable.
 12. The swing seat attachment ofclaim 7, wherein the middle extension includes a left ear and a rightear extending from the middle extension, wherein the left ear isinflatable and is a left extension, and wherein the right ear isinflatable and is a right extension.
 13. The swing seat attachment ofclaim 7, further comprising a swing seat extension extending rearwardlyfrom the swing seat and, wherein the rear extension extends rearwardlyfrom the middle extension, wherein the rear extension is inflatable. 14.The swing seat attachment of claim 7, wherein the right extension isformed with a right wing tip and wherein the left extension is formedwith a left wing tip, wherein the middle extension includes a torso, aneck extending from the torso, and a head extending from the neck,wherein a snout extends from the head, wherein the torso, neck, head andsnout are inflatable, wherein the middle extension includes a left earand a right ear extending from the middle extension, wherein the leftear is inflatable, and wherein the right ear is inflatable.
 15. Theswing seat attachment of claim 14, wherein the swing seat attachment isin the shape of a Pegasus.